Charlie and Margaret “Peggy” Stoneback knew each other in grade school, but their romance didn’t begin until decades later.
“My family moved to North Dakota, and we lived there for 10 years and I didn't see Charlie for 50 years,” says Peggy. “Then I came back for a reunion and we met each other again. By that time, my first husband had died.”
“My best friend was good at keeping track of people, and he thought we had to have a grade school reunion,” says Charlie. “My mother was here in Sioux Falls, and I kept coming back to see her. And our mothers were best friends so I’d see Peggy’s picture with her family. And, so, I guess I felt like I knew her.”
When the pair reconnected at their reunion, they eventually began dating.
“We got together and have been married ever since,” Peggy states.
Most of their 20 years of marriage included living in a home on Lake Herman in Madison, South Dakota, where Peggy enjoyed gardening. They eventually moved to Sioux Falls.
Caregiving role becomes challenging
Years later, Charlie became Peggy’s caregiver after she developed Alzheimer’s disease. It was hard for him to provide everything she needed and both of them experienced stress.
Peggy’s doctor recommended memory care assisted living. Charlie began touring residences, but wasn’t fond of what he saw until he toured Good Samaritan Society – Prairie Creek.
“Fortunately, Peggy was able to move right in,” says Charlie.
When Peggy became a resident there in early 2024, she began getting the care and socialization she needed, which allowed Charlie to relax.
“It gives families the sense that they can go back to being the spouse or the family member rather than the caregiver. We’re taking on that load and giving them back their freedom of enjoying their time together,” says Jaimee Larsen, senior living sales specialist at Prairie Creek.
Socialization brings benefits
At Prairie Creek’s memory care assisted living residence, Peggy and the rest of the residents eat their meals together, socialize and enjoy entertainment.
“She'll play games with them and have singalongs,” Charlie states. “She’s got three or four ladies who are very good friends. They have ‘ladies aid’ together.”
“A lot of activities include things like balloon ball,” says Jaimee. “We do puzzles and things like walking challenges. Getting residents up and moving is huge for us.
“We go on outings as well. We’ll load residents up on our bus and take them out. It could be downtown to Falls Park. It could just be driving around and reminiscing. They get very creative on where they go and what they see.”
At the memory care assisted living residence, there is a beautiful courtyard where residents can go outside safely to enjoy the fresh air, flowers and nature.
“She likes to walk, and we like to spend a lot of time out there on that patio,” says Charlie.
Peggy also enjoys listening to music and watching the music programs.
“I’m busy all the time. It seems like the time goes really quickly,” says Peggy. “I’ve got enough social activities and I’m satisfied.”
Top-notch care, food and environment
The caregiving team aims to make the environment comfortable for residents and family members and provides reassurance that they are there whenever anyone needs them.
“Ultimately, we are a family here, and we want everyone to feel that,” says Jaimee. “So as they’re coming to visit or as they’re leaving for the day after they visit their loved one, we want them to have the sense that they feel good. Creating that sense of comfort and reliability is big.”
The personalized care Peggy receives is something Charlie appreciates.
“Nothing compares to what she gets here. I can’t say enough good things about the staff. I think they do an excellent job of choosing people and training them. I haven’t met anyone that wasn’t caring and interested,” says Charlie.
Charlie and Peggy have noticed that Peggy’s health is better and she’s more content.
“She’s always bragging about the food. She’s getting much better meals than what I was preparing for her,” Charlie states.
She also likes her spacious, modern room that includes a seating area, bed and private bathroom.
“She has 40 or 41 picture albums that she’s put together. I don't think there's another place to go where she’d have the room,” says Charlie.
Happy couple
Living just down the road from Prairie Creek, Charlie is able to visit frequently without the stress of caregiving. He likes being able to park right out front.
“I take her to church every Saturday, and we’ll go for a walk or a ride,” he says. “She likes to read the newspapers, so I’ll bring them. She’s much more aware of what’s going on with politics and whatnot than she was before.”
“I feel good,” says Peggy.
“Charlie’s coming back to visit and just being her husband and it changes the dynamics so much. It really can change the relationship for the better,” says Jaimee.
When Charlie prepares to go home after a visit, he feels at ease.
“I can’t say enough good things about it. She’s happy to do things with her friends so the pressure is off,” he states. “She always kisses me goodbye.”
